10 Best Places to Visit in Pattaya for Those Planning a Family Vacation to the City in 2019

Pattaya is a very famous holiday destination of south-east Asia, however, there are several misconceptions regarding the place. People expect it to have a complete party vibe owing to its reputation of scandalizing bachelor and bachelorette parties. However, you will be surprised to know that Pattaya has a certain calm, breezy vibe that you would certainly enjoy, and which makes it a good destination for a family vacation. Similarly, there are other things about Pattaya that you might have heard which are not true. Hence, we are talking about the top 3 things you must know about Pattaya before you visit the place.

Mostly every person travelling to or talking about Pattaya refers to its beaches and watersides. While to a large extent it is true that Pattaya is well known as a beach holiday destination, there is a lot more to the place than just its beaches. You can find amazing things to do for anyone and everyone. There are good activity places, shows, amusement parks, nightlife, bars and food joints that you must try if you want to explore the complete package that Pattaya has to offer rather than just its beaches.

Not many people know this but Pattaya is a kid-friendly holiday destination and not just a place suitable for bachelor or bachelorette parties. There are amusement parks, fun museums, rides, go-karting tracks, huge aquariums, water sports and several other things that your kids would enjoy tremendously. If you are thinking to visit the place with your kids, don’t think twice, just go for it. They will have a blast exploring all that Pattaya has to offer.

This is kind of a no-brainer, but yes, Pattaya is like a paradise for seafood lovers. You will find anything and everything that you can imagine on the menu. Different style of cooking, variety of spices and variety of meat options to choose from adds further appeal to the place for seafood lovers. There are good options for vegetarians as well but if the meat smell is something that bothers you then, well, that could be kind of a problem especially in certain areas like the Coral Island.

The list below contains the top 10 places that you must visit in Pattaya to enjoy the complete experience that the city promises. Some of these places are often overlooked by the average tourist who just envisions the beaches and nightlife to be all that the city has to offer. We have added some hidden gems on the list as well that you can enjoy with friends, family and have also listed some kid-friendly places.

Coral Island is one of the first things that come to mind when someone thinks of Pattaya. It is the most famous attraction of the place and majorly draws tourists to the city. In the local language of the place, the island is referred to as Koh Larn and has a variety of coral reefs around it which has given it the more popular name of Coral Island.

The whole place has a serene vibe to suit the scenic views it offers. Apart from the views, there is a lot you can do here; like, swimming for hours, sunbathing or enjoying the variety of water sports like snorkelling, parasailing and more. The place is also known for its delicious seafood and fresh juices and drinks.

Koh Samui is another beautiful island in Thailand that you can visit for a nice holiday. The untouched natural beauty here is completely different from the other beach spots in the country. You can enjoy a relaxed stay here with sprawling resorts, water sports, clean beaches and good food.

Pattaya is well known for its lady-boy cabaret shows which is basically an hour-long extravaganza of glitz and glamour presented in theatres around the place wherein men dress up as ladies. You should definitely attend a cabaret show to know what the fuss is all about. One of the most renowned shows is the Alcazar Cabaret Show that is showcased in a theatre on Pattaya Second Road. It’s a 70-minute long show with over 400 actors that will leave you completely dazzled. There are around 17 individual bits in the entire show with each having a theme of its own. The tickets start at around 500 Bahts for a seat in the 1200 capacity theatre.

If you are a nature lover then the Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens is a must visit for you. It is also a place that you must definitely take your kids for a visit. The gardens are regarded as the largest botanical garden of its kind in the whole of south-east Asia and is spread over 2.4 sq. km. The area is divided into different themed gardens like the French Garden, Animal Sculpture Garden or the Stonehenge Garden. There is a huge variety of flora that one can explore here. You will find yourself strolling here for hours and feeling a sense of contentment.

Pattaya’s floating market is a one of a kind shopping experience. The entire market is basically divided into four very large sections to represent the four major parts of Thailand. There are about 115 markets in the area and you will have to get on a boat to visit the markets. You basically bargain and shop from the boats itself which will be a very unique experience for you. The boats are all man-powered only and no motorboats are allowed here. The market offers fresh fruits, vegetables, souvenirs among other things. You can also find good food over here including some of the native items that they have to offer. The pad thai and noodle soup of Pattaya's floating market is pretty famous and a must-try when you are visiting.

If you want to enjoy the best view that the city has to offer then you should pay a visit to Pattaya Viewpoint on the Pratumnak Hill. It is the best viewpoint in town and you can visit during day or night to watch the crescent bay. You will find yourself sitting here for a long time and soaking in the scenic, calm vibe of the place. There are small food and drink joints around the place as well. You can also buy small souvenirs from here. Depending on where you are staying in the city, Pratumnak Hill could a walk away or you might have to take a tuk-tuk or a cab. But, the view is surely worth the effort.

If you are tired of the usual beaches and water sports, then take out some time from your day and visit this hugely fun and amazing place called ‘Ripley’s Believe It or Not’. It is like a museum dedicated to the most bizarre and odd things in the world. It has, what they call, an Odditorium which features 10 galleries with different themes having about 300 exhibitions. You can find a titanic replica made of matchsticks, a real shrunken human head, a wax statue of a man with 4 eyes among other things that will take you on a fun trip.

The Buddha Mountain, or the Khao Chi Chan as per the local language, is one of the most beautiful spots in the city and it holds a religious significance as well. The limestone mountain has the image of Buddha (in a cross-legged, sitting position) engraved on its northern side. The image had been drawn in 1996 to commemorate the golden jubilee of the King of Thailand. The 109 meter tall image was designed by computer software and later drawn on the mountain with the help of a laser in the dark of the night. It was later filled in with gold to complete it. Apart from visiting the place for its religious significance, one is all drawn to the vast expanse of nature around it. You will definitely enjoy a day out at this beautiful spot.

If you are travelling with kids then you know that no vacation is complete without a trip to an amusement park. Just 15-kilometers south of Pattaya is the world’s first Cartoon Network themed water-park which is the largest and one of its kind in the whole of Thailand. With 30 power-packed rides, cartoon character themed zones, entertainment shows and food court the park promises a fun day for kids, teens and even adults.

Sanctuary of Truth is a beautiful architectural wonder in the city of Pattaya. It is constructed out of pure teak wood without the use of a single metal nail. It holds a religious and spiritual significance as well and has beautiful wood carvings, statutes and designs that not only talk about the philosophy of Buddhism but also depict things from Hinduism. You can easily spend a couple of hours glancing at every little detail of the place and marvelling at the mastery of construction. If you are not a big fan of architecture then you can enjoy the scenic location of Rachvate Cape where this is located.